Eureka council may ask voters to extend tax; waterfront trail grant, Fourth of July fireworks on tap

The Eureka City Council on Tuesday will consider whether to put a measure on the November ballot that would extend the city's increased sales tax, which sunsets in 2016.

"If we want to maintain the quality of life that we have in Eureka, Measure O is integral to that," Assistant City Manager Mike Knight said. "Measure O is critical because it's about a $4 million funding source for us."

Measure O, or the Supplemental Transaction and Use Tax, adds 0.5 percent onto the city's sales tax. It was passed by voters in 2010 to help fund public safety -- including fire and police services -- and some of the public works, parks and recreation and zoo budgets. It will sunset on June 30, 2016, if it is not extended.

"I hate taxes as much as anybody probably does, but it's something that we've had in place," Mayor Frank Jager said. "I hope the people in the city realize how important it is, for the city to keep moving forward. Hopefully, five years from now, we'll be out of the economic malaise that we're in, but right now it's really important."

The additional revenue source -- which has generated nearly $11.6 million since it was passed -- has been used to preserve public safety positions, fund neighborhood wellness and community enhancement projects, bring back maintenance programs -- such as street sweeping -- and paid for deferred maintenance projects at city facilities.

During Tuesday's meeting, Knight said he will present the council with multiple sunset options, which include no sunset date, a five-year expiration date or a 10-year termination date. A hybrid option with a five-year end date and wording that would allow the council to extend the tax by holding two public meetings and adopting findings that demonstrate the taxes are necessary to continue to fund essential services may also be considered.

If the council decides to move forward, an ordinance will be introduced in June.

The council will also vote on a $4.5 million grant application that would provide the necessary revenue to finish the waterfront trail.

According to a staff report, the Caltrans Active Transportation Program grant would fund the remaining construction for the sections from Del Norte to C streets and the Adorni Trail to Tydd Street.

In other business, the council will decide whether to allow staff to coordinate the annual Fourth of July fireworks display and have the city manager execute an agreement with Pyro Spectaculars Inc.

Former Councilman Mike Jones is proposing to spearhead the fundraising needed to cover the $30,000 contract for this year's show.